The rise and fall of Anzu, Mesopotamia's lion-headed eagle
Explore the legend of Anzu, a massive creature from ancient Mesopotamia. This video traces Anzu's transformation from a divine symbol and friend to heroes into a cosmic threat driven by unchecked ambition.
Dr. Steve Tinney, Associate Curator of the Babylonian Section at the Penn Museum, examines the myth of Anzu. This iconic monster, characterized as a giant eagle with the head of a lion, has been featured in artwork dating back as early as 2500 BCE.
The lecture follows Anzu's narrative arc: beginning as a benign symbol of the gods before his ambition leads to a catastrophic cosmic threat, ultimately resulting in a fatal and ignominious end.
Source: Great Beasts of Legend: Anzu the Lion Headed Eagle
